Salary: $38,004.00 – $50,592.00 Annually
Location: Cowlitz County – Kelso, WA
Job Type: Various Job Types
Job Number: 23DOT-SWR-41524m
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Southwest Region
Opening Date: 05/25/2023
Closing Date: 6/11/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world’s widest tunneling project.
 
The Opportunity
WSDOT Environmental Services Office is currently seeking to fill one permanent and two non-permanent Natural Resource Technician positions in Kelso, WA. In this role, you will provide technical support to the Southwest Region Mitigation program through the observation and analysis of mitigation site conditions and be responsible for implementing maintenance and management activities at environmental mitigation sites and roadside restoration sites throughout SW Region. These positions are critical in fostering a respectful, and healthy work environment with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
 
What to Expect
The typical schedule is 4/10’s Monday-Thursday with opportunities for overtime. Occasional extended hours and overnight travel may be required. These positions primarily perform outdoor physical work. This includes working in dense vegetation, streams, wet areas, outdoor weather exposure, and next to high-speed live traffic.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

• Assist with the Management of Roadside Restoration and Environmental Mitigation Sites.
• Work independently to interpret site conditions and implement site management decisions including beaver management, noxious weed management, and site safety evaluation.
• Implement adaptive site management techniques under the direction of the Southwest Region Restoration Crew Lead.
• Apply pesticide and fertilizer on restoration and mitigation sites to control and eradicate noxious weeds. 
• Provide training and quality control of planting techniques.
• Observe site conditions and recommend appropriate solutions and interpret and apply site management goals.
• Assist with the both the inspection and maintenance of roadside restoration and environmental mitigation sites.
• Operate small equipment, chainsaws, and weed eaters.
• Maintain positive relations with surrounding landowners and the general public. 

Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• One (1) year of experience with restoration, landscaping, forestry, habitat management, or other related natural resource field.
• One (1) year of experience with regular pesticide application (including determining rates, missing, and multiple application methods).
• The ability to obtain the Public Operator, Right-of-way Weed Control, and Aquatic pesticide endorsement categories within 3 months of employment.
• The ability to be available for overnight travel and long work hours.
• The ability to negotiate rough, steep terrain. 

It is preferred that qualified NRT3 candidates have:

• Some coursework or an Associate degree in Restoration Ecology, Horticulture, Landscape Management, or a closely associated field.
• Experience with irrigation installation, maintenance, and/or repair.
• Experience identifying native and non-native plant species during active growth and dormancy.
• Two years of job-related experience installing native wetland and upland plant material.

Important Notes 

• This recruitment is being used to fill one permanent position and two non-permanent positions. The non-permanent positions are expected to last 9 months.
• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs. 
• In addition to the salary range listed, a general wage increase of 4% will be applied for all state employees on July 1, 2023.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code. 
• In accordance with our collective bargaining agreements, employees in represented positions must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position. 
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov 

How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine your salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:  

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.  

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4058642/natural-resource-technician-3-multiple-positions. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application for this opportunity.